Liverpool prepare to welcome 2026 with a crucial Premier League fixture against Leeds United at Anfield, with both managers navigating significant squad challenges that will influence their tactical approaches. The Thursday evening encounter carries particular significance as Liverpool seek to extend their recent winning momentum while Leeds aim to continue their impressive unbeaten run. Team news from both camps reveals absences that will shape selection decisions and potentially determine the match’s outcome.
Szoboszlai’s Timely Return
Dominik Szoboszlai‘s return from suspension represents a significant boost for Arne Slot’s midfield options. The Hungarian midfielder missed Liverpool’s 2-1 victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers having accumulated five yellow cards earlier in the season, serving the mandatory one-match ban that Premier League disciplinary rules impose. His availability for the Leeds fixture restores a crucial component of Liverpool’s midfield engine, providing energy, creativity, and goal threat from central areas.
Szoboszlai’s absence against Wolves, while manageable in the context of that particular match, highlighted his importance to Liverpool’s tactical setup. His ability to press aggressively, transition quickly between defensive and attacking phases, and arrive in dangerous positions when Liverpool attack makes him valuable to Slot’s system. The fact that Liverpool secured victory without him demonstrates squad depth and adaptability, but having him available again provides the manager with additional quality and tactical flexibility.
The timing of his return is particularly significant given Liverpool’s congested fixture schedule entering the new year. With matches coming in quick succession and squad depth tested by injuries and international commitments, having all available players fit and eligible becomes increasingly important. Szoboszlai’s suspension being served means he carries no immediate disciplinary concerns, allowing Slot to deploy him without worry about further yellow card accumulation triggering additional bans.
The Ongoing Injury Concerns
Joe Gomez‘s continued absence represents a more significant concern for Liverpool’s defensive options. The versatile defender has been sidelined since sustaining a muscle injury against Brighton & Hove Albion in mid-December, removing a player whose ability to operate across multiple defensive positions has been invaluable throughout the season. Muscle injuries notoriously resist rushed rehabilitation, and Slot’s medical team appear to be taking appropriate caution in managing Gomez’s return to avoid the risk of aggravating the problem through premature action.
Gomez’s absence forces Liverpool to rely on available defensive personnel without the flexibility his versatility provides. While Liverpool possess quality options at center-back through Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate, and have managed at full-back through various combinations, the loss of a player who can seamlessly transition between these positions creates tactical limitations that become more problematic as fixture congestion intensifies.
Wataru Endo‘s ankle injury adds another dimension to Liverpool’s squad challenges. The Japanese midfielder has been recovering since last featuring in the memorable 3-3 draw at Leeds three-and-a-half weeks ago, an injury timeline that suggests the problem was more significant than initially feared. Endo’s defensive screening capabilities and positional discipline provide tactical options that Liverpool currently lack, particularly when facing opponents whose direct approach demands additional midfield protection.
The Long-Term Absences
Alexander Isak‘s classification as a longer-term absentee following his recent ankle surgery that included fibula fracture repair represents perhaps Liverpool’s most damaging injury situation. The Swedish striker was finally approaching the performance levels that justified his significant transfer fee when injury struck during the act of scoring against Tottenham. His absence removes a proven goal-scoring threat during a period when Liverpool can ill afford to lose attacking quality, forcing Slot to redistribute goal-scoring responsibilities across remaining forwards.
Giovanni Leoni’s anterior cruciate ligament injury, sustained during his debut appearance, continues to sideline the young defender for what will ultimately be approximately a year. While Leoni’s limited first-team experience means his absence doesn’t immediately impact team selection, it represents a lost opportunity for his development and reduces the defensive depth available to Slot during this challenging period.
Mohamed Salah’s unavailability due to Africa Cup of Nations duty with Egypt represents an expected but nonetheless significant blow to Liverpool’s attacking capabilities. The Egyptian forward’s departure for international duty was scheduled and anticipated, allowing Slot to plan tactical adjustments in advance. However, planning for Salah’s absence and actually compensating for his goal-scoring and creative contributions are vastly different challenges. His time away will test Liverpool’s attacking depth and require collective solutions rather than relying on any single replacement.
Disciplinary Considerations
Ibrahima Konate’s disciplinary situation adds an element of risk management to Slot’s selection considerations. The French defender enters the Leeds match one yellow card away from triggering a one-match suspension, creating a calculation about whether the risk of losing him for a subsequent fixture outweighs the benefit of his participation against Leeds. Konate’s importance to Liverpool’s defense generally makes him an automatic selection, but the threat of suspension adds complexity to that decision.
The challenge for both Konate and his manager lies in balancing competitive intensity with disciplinary caution. Defenders must engage physically, compete for aerial duels, and make tactical fouls when necessary to prevent dangerous situations. However, a player operating under the shadow of potential suspension may either become overly cautious, compromising defensive effectiveness, or maintain normal aggression and risk the booking that triggers absence. Slot must decide whether to trust Konate to manage this situation or whether the risk demands rotation.
Leeds’ Momentum and Challenges
Leeds United’s arrival at Anfield on an unbeaten run of five Premier League matches demonstrates the quality and resilience that Daniel Farke has instilled in his squad. This run, which includes draws and victories against various opposition, proves that Leeds possess the capability to trouble any team in the division. Their most recent result, a 1-1 draw at Sunderland, extended Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s remarkable scoring streak to six consecutive Premier League matches, highlighting the goal-scoring threat Leeds carry.
Calvert-Lewin’s prolific form represents Leeds’ most dangerous weapon and Liverpool’s most significant concern. The English striker has rediscovered the clinical finishing that made him such a valuable asset earlier in his career, and his current confidence means he will punish any defensive lapses Liverpool commit. Neutralizing Calvert-Lewin’s threat while also managing Leeds’ other attacking options will be crucial to Liverpool’s defensive strategy.
However, Leeds face their own significant squad challenge with Joe Rodon’s absence through ankle injury. The Welsh defender’s remarkable record of not missing a league match since October 2023 underscores his importance to Farke’s defensive setup. His withdrawal during the first half against Sunderland and subsequent confirmation of unavailability for the Anfield fixture forces Farke into defensive reorganization at the worst possible time.
Farke’s Tactical Flexibility
Farke’s response to the Rodon situation revealed both the challenge and the opportunities the injury creates. His acknowledgment that “it’s not beneficial for what we want to do” established the obvious truth that losing a defensive mainstay damages any team’s prospects. However, his insistence on “no complaints” and determination to “be competitive again” demonstrated the mentality required when facing adversity.
The Leeds manager’s detailed explanation of his defensive options illustrated the tactical flexibility available despite Rodon’s absence. Sebastiaan Bornauw, Sam Byram, and James Justin all offer different qualities that could be deployed in various defensive configurations. Farke’s emphasis that Leeds “can play a three-man formation, we can play a four-man formation” suggested he might adjust tactical shape based on personnel available rather than forcing square pegs into round holes.
This flexibility could actually complicate Liverpool’s preparation, as they must prepare for multiple potential Leeds setups rather than a predictable formation. The uncertainty about whether Leeds will deploy a back three or back four, and which personnel will occupy those positions, creates preparation challenges that Liverpool’s coaching staff must navigate through video analysis and tactical planning.
Statistical Context
The statistical comparison between the teams reveals Liverpool’s superior attacking output but surprisingly similar defensive records. Liverpool’s 30 goals from 18 matches compared to Leeds’ 25 demonstrates greater attacking efficiency, supported by their superior conversion rate of 16.2% against Leeds’ 14.4%. However, Leeds’ shooting accuracy of 43.4% exceeds Liverpool’s 42.2%, suggesting they create quality chances even if they convert them less frequently.
Liverpool’s assist total of 20 compared to Leeds’ 10 indicates greater creative fluidity and collective attacking play. This disparity suggests Liverpool’s goals emerge from varied sources and intricate build-up patterns, whereas Leeds may rely more heavily on individual quality or direct approaches. These statistical patterns will influence how each team approaches the tactical battle.
Disciplinary Concerns for Leeds
Leeds face their own disciplinary considerations with Ethan Ampadu and Jayden Bogle both one yellow card away from one-match suspensions. Like Konate’s situation for Liverpool, these players must balance competitive intensity with caution to avoid bookings that would trigger absence for subsequent fixtures. Farke must weigh whether the risk of losing these players for future matches outweighs the benefit of their full commitment against Liverpool.
The Broader Context
This New Year’s Day fixture represents more than just three points for both teams. For Liverpool, victory would extend their recent winning streak and maintain momentum entering what promises to be a crucial period in the season. For Leeds, a positive result at Anfield would demonstrate their credentials as genuine top-four contenders while extending their unbeaten run to six matches.
The return fixture’s context, following their dramatic 3-3 draw earlier in the season, adds narrative spice to this encounter. Both teams will remember how that match unfolded, with Liverpool surrendering a two-goal lead before Leeds completed their comeback deep into stoppage time. The psychological residue of that result may influence how both managers approach this match, particularly regarding game management during crucial periods.
As both teams prepare for this New Year’s Day encounter, the squad challenges facing each manager will significantly influence tactical approaches and potentially determine the outcome. Liverpool’s advantage in attacking depth must overcome Leeds’ defensive resilience and Calvert-Lewin’s goal-scoring form, while both teams navigate the injury and disciplinary complications that characterize football during this demanding period.
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YNWA (You’ll Never Walk Alone)!
The Liverpool FC Times Team
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